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2 Sheets'Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

, A. H. HIEATZMAN. GONDUII TROLLEY FOR STREET CARS.

No. 479,327. Patented July 19,1892.

# REM w I m W 8 MM W E K? W fi (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. A. H. HIEATZMAN. GONDUIT TROLLEY FOR STREET CARS.

Patented July 19, 1892.

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ARTHUR H. HIEATZMAN, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO HARRY D. HIEATZMAN, OF SAME PLACE.

CONDUlT-TROLLEY FOR STREET-CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 479,327, dated July 19, 1892.

Application filed March 24, 1891. Serial No. 386,186. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR H. HIEATZMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore city, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Railways and Rolling-Stock; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked there,onwhich form a part of this specification.

My invention is in the nature of improve- I 5 ments in electric railways, especially those in which underground conduits are used, and

rolling-stock for the same, and has for its object to simplify, cheapen, and render more effective such structures.

With this object in view my invention consists in the improved construction, arrangement, and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, and afterward specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

2 5 In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view showing a vertical transverse section through the roadway and in side elevation suflicient of a car thereon to illustrate my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged View, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the current-collecting devices below the surface. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective View showing the manner of connecting the trolleysupporting arm or foot with the car and its raising and lowering mechanisms. Fig. 4 is a similar view of a portion of the trolley-supporting arm, showing, also, its supportingbraces. Fig. 5 is atransverse horizontal section on the line mo of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a similar section on the line y y of Fig. 2. Fig. 7

is a detail view of the conducting-wire supporter, by which it is suspended from the insulators.

Like numerals of reference mark the same parts wherever they occur in the various figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, 1 is the conduit in which the current-conductor 2 and auxiliary feed-wire 3 are laid, the top or cover of said conduit being substantially flush with the roadway. The conduit is housed in by a series of castings of any desired lengths, each of such castings consisting of an upright plate 4, which forms one side complete of the conduit, a horizontal 5 5 plate 5, which forms the bottom of the conduit, another upright plate 6, which forms the other side of the conduit, a series of braces or brackets 7, and a downward-projecting apron plate orpartition 8, the latter being supported and held in place by the brackets 7, which connectit with plate 6. There will be as many of these brackets in each section as may be deemed necessary, dependent somewhat upon the length of the section, and besides supporting the partition 8 they serve as supports for the insulators 9, from which the conductingwire 2 is suspended, said wire being connected to the insulators by means of the V-shaped supporting-plates 11 and their stems 12. The conducting-wire 2 is secured to the supporting-plates 11 by screws 13, passing through slots 14, which are elongated to compensate for expansion and contraction of the conductor due to extremes of temperature. To the brackets 7 are also connected insulators carrying an auxiliary feed-wire 15, for insuring a regular and unbroken supply of current to the conductor 2, this wire being connected to the conductor between supports 11 at suitably frequent intervals. The conduit is covered by iron plates 16, which are provided with downward flanges 17 at their sides to fit over upward-projecting flanges 18 at the top of plate 6 and partition 8, as shown in Fig. 1.

The current is collected from the conductor 2 by a trolley or grooved metallic pulley 21, journaled in the arms or prongs 22 of a fork 23, which projects downward, the said arms 22 being provided with brushes 24: in contact with the sides of the trolley 21, to take the current therefrom. On the lower end of the fork 23 is secured a short sleeve or metal tube 25. Over this sleeve is passed the up- 5 per end of a stout tubular structure of rubber 26, whose central portion is thickened and its end formed cylindrically, as clearly shown. The lower end of this tube 26 incloses another sleeve of metal 27, which is secured on the cylindrically-formed end or toe 28 of the trolley-supporting arm 29. This trolley-arm passes downward through the usual slotin the conduit and is formed with a horizontal portion or foot 30, which supports the toe 28. The whole of the arm,foot, and toe are formed of two pieces, whose inner sides are formed with grooves, which when the two pieces are secured together form tubes, in which are laida series consisting of any suitable number of insulated wires 31, which conductthe current from the trolley to the motor on the car. These wires 31 pass out from the toe 28 through the rubber tube 26, and their uninsulated ends are clamped between the rubber tube and the metal sleeve 25, which, being in contact with the fork 23, completes the connection. The screws which clamp the sleeve 25 to the fork 23 and rubber tube 26 together pass through the rubber and the metal sleeve and into a circumferential groove 32 in the fork 23, so that while the parts are held securely together the fork is permitted to swivel or turn in the sleeve. Similar screws 33 secure the lower end of tube 26, sleeve 27, and too 28 together in a like manner, except that the groove is omitted and the joint is rigid, as shown.

"The trolley-arm 29 is made as narrow and light as possible, and to stiffen and strengthen the lower portion an inclined brace 34, with an eye or socket 35 to embrace the toe 28 and a socket or eye 36 to embrace the arm 29, is provided. These sockets are suificien tly close fitting to prevent lateral movement, but loose enough to allow the trolley-arm and toe to slide in them, or to allow them to slide up and down on the too 28 and arm 29. To the socket 36 are secured in front and rear of arm 29 braces 37 and 38, which pass upward to the body of the car, their upper ends being provided with eyes 39, which embrace transversely-secured rods 40, as shown, these rods passing up in forward and rearward inclined positions through the slot in the conduit.

The arm 29 is provided with a turnbuckle 42, by which its length can be adjusted, whereby the trolley may be raised up and down, as desired. This arm also passes up through the bottom of the carand then through an opening in a platform 44, supported on the bottom of the car by stop-springs 45, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Upon this platform are raised bearings 46, in which are journaled the trunnions 47 of a cam 48, to which the upper end of the trolley-arm 29 is connected. An arm 49 upon the cam 48 is connected byahorizontal arm 50 to a hand-lever 51, pivoted in bearings 52, secured to the car, said lever being provided with a pawl 53, which engages the teeth of an arched or curved rack 54, secured to the car.

Suitable drain-pipes are provided to carry oif water from the conduit to suitable sewers.

The castings forming the conduit are provided with side-bracing flanges, such as those marked 71 in Fig. 1, which have no connection with the ties, but serve to strengthen the castings.

The operation and advantages of myinvention will be obvious from the foregoing description.

The rubber tube which supports the trolley is of sufficient rigidity to hold it in contact with the conductor, but is at the same time flexible enough to take up jar or sidewise movement of the supporting-arm from any cause.

The brace from the trolley-arm to its foot serves to stiiTen both structures, and its arrangement at a slight inclination enhances its value for this purpose. Providing the trolley-arm with the front and rear braces permits the making of that member much lighter than would be otherwise possible, and thus allows of the slot being made smaller. The transverse movement of these braces on their top supporting-bars and their vertical movement due to the sliding on the trolley-arm allow these braces to pass freely around curves in the slot. The turnbuckle permits of lengthening or shortening the trolley-arm. The provision of the spring-supported platform as a support for the trolley-adjusting arm is very important, the springs being sufficiently strong to give the arm a firm bearing, but at the same time flexible enough to give to strains brought upon it before the breaking-point is reached. The cam and hand-lever mechanism for raising and lowering the trolley into or out of contact with the conductor is very simple and thoroughly effective.

The trolley-arm being made of two grooved pieces secured together forms a complete enveloper for the wires which conduct the current to the car, so that there is no possibility of their being injured unless the arm be broken, and the safeguards which I throw around this arm render such an occurrence highly improbable. Of course it is well known that the lightening of the various parts permitted by my invention efiectsa great saving in cost in operating expenses. The insulation is perfect from the trolley to the car, and there is practically no chance of accident from exposure to the current, and should the drainage be imperfect the operation would be perfeet, even though the conduit were partially filled with water, so long as it did not reach the trolley-supporting fork. The swiveling connection between the trolley-fork and its support permits the trolley to ride easily and smoothly around curves in the road.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. The conductor-support herein described, consisting of a stem and two downwardly-inclined plates forming an inverted-V-shaped or angle iron, the stem being secured to or formed on the apex of this iron and the plates being provided with openings to receive the securing-screws, as set forth.

2. In combination, the housing having brackets, the insulators secured to said brackets, the inverted-V-shaped conductor-support secured to the insulators, and the conductor secured to the supports,substantially as set forth.

3. In combination, the housing provided with side plates, connecting bottom plate, downward partition, with clear space below it to accommodate foot of trolley-arm, brackets secured to upper inner parts of one side plate and the partition and forming top cross-bars, two sets of insulators carried by said brackets, and a conductor and auxiliary conductor carried by said sets of insulators, as set forth.

4. A trolley-support consisting of a hollow rubber structure, through which the wires pass, formed at one end for connection with the trolley-bearing and at the other for connection with the toe of the trolley-arm,whereby a yielding support is given to the trolley and perfect insulation of the arm and trolley effected, as set forth.

5. In combination, the trolley, the fork in which it is journaled, the toe of the trolleyarm, and the rubber trolley-support embracing the fork at one end and the toe at the other, as set forth.

6. In combination, a trolley-arm, a trolley, a bearing for the trolley, and an insulatingsupport connected to the arm atits lower end and by a swivel-joint to the trolley-bearing at its upper end, as set forth.

7. The trolley-support consisting of the arm having horizontal foot and vertical toe at the end thereof, in combination with the inclined brace connecting the arm and toe, as set forth.

8. The trolley-arm formed as a conduit for insulated wires from the trolley, in combination with the trolley and an insulating-support connecting the trolley-arm and trolley, as set forth.

9. The combination of the trolley arm and toe with a connecting-brace secured to each of them by means of an embracing eye or socket, as set forth.

10. The trolley-arm and car,in combination with a brace secured at the top to the car and at the bottom to the arm and travelingin the slot, as set forth.

11. The trolley-arm and car, in combination with a brace secured at the top to the car and having a vertically-sliding connection with the arm at the bottom, as and for the purpose set forth.

12. The trolley-arm and car,in combination with a brace connected at its upper end with the carby a horizontally-sliding connection and at its lower end'with the trolley-arm, as set forth.

13. The trolley-arm and car, in combination with a brace having a horizontal sliding connection with the car at its upper end and a vertically-sliding connection with the trolleyarm at its lower end, as set forth.

14. The combination, with the car and the trolley-supporting arm having foot and toe, as described, of a brace connecting the toe and arm by means of sliding connections and a second brace secured at its .lower end to the first brace at the arm and at its upper end to the car by a horizontally-sliding connection, as and for the purpose set forth.

15. In combination, the car, the hand-lever, the pivoted cam, the trolley-arm connected thereto, and the spring-platform-upon Which the cam is supported, as set forth.

16. A trolley-arm provided with a horizontal foot and vertical toe, in combination with the trolley and an elastic connection between it and the toe, as set forth.

17. In combination, the trolley, the fork in which it is journaled, the toe of the trolleyarm, and the elastic insulating trolley-support embracing the fork at one end and the toe at the other, as set forth.

18. In combination, a trolley-arm, a trolley, a bearing for the trolley, and an elastic insulating-support connected to the arm at its lower end and by a swivel-joint to the trolleybearing at its upper end, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR H. HIEATZMAN.

Witnesses:

S. BRASHEARS, S. BRASHEARS, Jr. 

